MCSO: Deputy faces charges after passing letters to female inmate

Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 1:20 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 1:20 p.m.

Marion County sheriff’s Deputy Francisco Javier Perez was charged Wednesday with six counts of introducing contraband into the county jail after investigators say the bailiff sent love letters to a female inmate.

The five-year employee resigned from his $41,000-a-year job at the time he was arrested, according to officials.

The correspondence came to light on Valentine’s Day, when another woman, jail trusty Nancy Simmons, told a sergeant at the courthouse about the relationship, according to an arrest affidavit.

Sheriff’s Lt. Chris Vorisek interviewed Simmons and learned that over several weeks she had taken notes and letters back and forth between Perez, 33, and inmate Jessica Soverns, 24, who is serving time for petty theft and violation of probation.

Jail officials searched Soverns’ cell and found personal letters, apparently from Perez, that contained sexual language and described sex acts, according to the arrest report. The letters indicated that they had kissed — though it was not immediately clear when or where.

One incomplete note appeared to be a letter Soverns was writing for Perez.

Simmons recognized the letters, which she had read while she was carrying them, the report states. Soverns acknowledged receiving them from Perez.

The deputy was interviewed Tuesday, according to the report. He denied any sexual contact with Soverns, though he acknowledged sending her letters. Perez told the detective he gave a couple of notes to her at the courthouse and passed others to her through Simmons.

In an interview at the jail, Simmons said she told on Perez because she was tired of being in the middle and felt that, as a law enforcement officer, he wasn’t above the law.

Soverns and Perez declined to be interviewed by a reporter.

Perez, a former Eustis police officer, began working at the Sheriff’s Office in August 2007, according to agency files. He worked as a road deputy until 2009, when he became a bailiff. He received various commendations, including an Eagle Eye award, but was denied a request to return to the road in 2011.

According to a Sheriff’s Office news release, Perez recently returned to work after being suspended when an investigation found he had used a sheriff’s vehicle and fuel for personal use without approval.

<p>Marion County sheriff's Deputy Francisco Javier Perez was charged Wednesday with six counts of introducing contraband into the county jail after investigators say the bailiff sent love letters to a female inmate.</p><p>The five-year employee resigned from his $41,000-a-year job at the time he was arrested, according to officials.</p><p>The correspondence came to light on Valentine's Day, when another woman, jail trusty Nancy Simmons, told a sergeant at the courthouse about the relationship, according to an arrest affidavit.</p><p>Sheriff's Lt. Chris Vorisek interviewed Simmons and learned that over several weeks she had taken notes and letters back and forth between Perez, 33, and inmate Jessica Soverns, 24, who is serving time for petty theft and violation of probation.</p><p>Jail officials searched Soverns' cell and found personal letters, apparently from Perez, that contained sexual language and described sex acts, according to the arrest report. The letters indicated that they had kissed — though it was not immediately clear when or where.</p><p>One incomplete note appeared to be a letter Soverns was writing for Perez.</p><p>Simmons recognized the letters, which she had read while she was carrying them, the report states. Soverns acknowledged receiving them from Perez.</p><p>The deputy was interviewed Tuesday, according to the report. He denied any sexual contact with Soverns, though he acknowledged sending her letters. Perez told the detective he gave a couple of notes to her at the courthouse and passed others to her through Simmons.</p><p>In an interview at the jail, Simmons said she told on Perez because she was tired of being in the middle and felt that, as a law enforcement officer, he wasn't above the law.</p><p>Soverns and Perez declined to be interviewed by a reporter.</p><p>Perez, a former Eustis police officer, began working at the Sheriff's Office in August 2007, according to agency files. He worked as a road deputy until 2009, when he became a bailiff. He received various commendations, including an Eagle Eye award, but was denied a request to return to the road in 2011.</p><p>According to a Sheriff's Office news release, Perez recently returned to work after being suspended when an investigation found he had used a sheriff's vehicle and fuel for personal use without approval.</p>